 Photos by Becky Wilkes/For the SDN, Graphic above by Brian Hawkins/SDN Brent Crocker, standing, at right, supervises a group of aspiring lifeguards in a Red Cross water safety program at Mississippi State’s Sanderson Center. The local Red Cross chapter certifies lifeguards through the program. By BRIAN HAWKINS
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
After one of the biggest giving years ever, United Way of North Central Mississippi leaders are seeking to continue to raising the bar and meet the $400,000 fund-raising goal for the current campaign.
The 2008-2009 campaign raised $321,923.08, one of the two highest amounts raised in the history of the local United Way organization. As of Sept. 4, the campaign had raised $7,812.16.
With a changing economy, the needs of the 18 agencies who receive United Way funding are greater than ever, and it is even more critical to meet the $400,000 goal with the 2009-2010 campaign, said campaign chair Nikki Rives.
“The 2010 United Way Campaign Committee is very excited about the challenge of raising $400,000 this year,” Rives said. “This group of dedicated volunteers will be working hard to raise the funds needed to provide services to the 18 local agencies supported by United Way.”
The local United Way helps support these agencies with funding:
• American Red Cross, Oktibbeha County chapter.
• Area Agency on Aging/ Fellowship Foods/Homemaker Service.
• Boy Scouts of America.
• Boys and Girls Club of Oktibbeha County.
• Brickfire Project.
• CONTACT Helpline.
• The Father’s Child Ministries.
• 4-H Clubs.
• Girl Scouts of Northeast Mississippi.
• Habitat for Humanity.
• Helping Hands Ministries of Oktibbeha County.
• North Mississippi Kidney Foundation.
• Oktibbeha County Humane Society.
• Prairie Opportunity Inc.
• Recovery House Inc.
• Salvation Army.
• Safe Haven/The Rape Crisis Center.
• Sally Kate Winters Children’s Home.
As always, the United Way fund-raising campaign is volunteer-driven, Rives said.
“Volunteers vary from business professionals, stay-at-home moms, retirees, educators and political leaders,” Rives said.
For many of the 18 agencies receiving United Way funding, those dollars are critical to their operations.
“Red Cross depends on the gifts to United Way to help us meet the needs of the community. When we deliver services and I mention that we receive funding from United Way, it’s like a light comes on for people. They understand that in many cases the money the have donated is coming right back to them,” said Becky Wilkes, director of the Oktibbeha County chapter of the American Red Cross.
“United Way is a big part of our budget. As the economy has tightened, we’ve seen local donations decrease. We hope the community will step up and support this year’s United Way drive to help agencies like Red Cross,” Wilkes added.
Multiple ways to give
Members of the public have multiple choices in deciding to give to the United Way campaign, including:
• Payroll deduction — If one’s employer has the capability of doing this option, the donor may elect to have a certain amount of money from each paycheck be donated to the United Way for a certain number of pay periods.
• Donation by cash or check — A donor may make a one-time cash or check donation.
• Credit card — A donor can choose to make a one-time or monthly donation via a specific credit card.
• Participation in special United Way events — The Festival of Trees in November will allow the public an opportunity to make donations toward the United Way campaign, and the Mississippi State Student Association-sponsored Bulldog Bash on Sept. 25 will also feature an option to donate to the United Way via a special text message option using cellular phones.
“United Way exists to effect positive change in our community and to improve the lives of its citizens. Your support creates change and change creates opportunities. Please give to the 2010 United Way campaign,” Rives said.
Other special focus events are being planned during the campaign to highlight different sectors of the community and seek their involvement in the campaign, Rives said.
A Small Business Week is planned for early October to encourage small business owners and their employees to give to the United Way, Rives said.
Specific details about that week, as well as the Festival of Trees and the giving option at the upcoming Bulldog Bash, will be announced in the coming weeks.
For more information about making contributions to United Way, call 323-3830 or stop by the offices at 1016G Louisville St.
|
